really liking how this turned out. was thinking of beads as an add, but they add relief around the edges sinking the middle design - no - and don’t think interspersing them would be good either (distracting) and since it looks great as is…I think I’ll just add one jellyfish (LZ’s type) and maybe his name and the year, maintaining the overall design (LZ’s) which I think turned out *awesome.
peace and gratitude.
relaxing a bit and finding new creative energy. grateful for good friends and time.
go.
I wonder if LZ checks the blog. Maybe he’d be proud to see his design come to life. It’s exciting for me to take his idea and work it out on fabric.
new project, fresh start.
Li Zhi and I like to eat and visit, on day he came over and was drawing while we talked. What a cool design he drew, and the drawing expresses him with it’s design, so it will be the beginnings of a new project. I made it larger to reveal the design and will use silks and ribbon to bring it to life.
she's done.
it’s done. today i’ll do the finish work and post the completed project. will change out the two white beads at the bottom, they draw the eye from the blue. other than that, she’s done. ready for the next project, which i’ve already begun. feels good to turn the page one this one, start something new (in more than one way.)
filling in the gaps.
filled in some space with sparkle, which is a good idea on sewing and life. working on the toe next, and have decided not to mirror the top design as it feels too predictable. going to do some stems with some larger bead clusters. drew the lines last night and will sew the black stems shortly.
in it.
i like it when it is unrolled but imo it’s not the most inspiring design i’ve done. have some fresh ideas for the next project so going to wrap this one up and move along.
flatline.
went on vacation, expecting activity. wanted to return each night exhausted, sun weary, ready for a drink. long story, i wasn’t able to do the things i’d hoped. so, i sewed. i like beading, maybe didn’t want the vacation to be solely that…but nevertheless, got a lot done in paradise.
the upside - made new friends as they came to visit while i worked. that was lovely.
blue and silver.
placing the beads on in the same way in each space, randomized, not couched. and i want this design to be different from others i have done. considering leaning in to something i saw at the santa fe folk art museum…see below. see how the artist wound threads close together to fill a space? hmm. maybe.
shhh.
post holiday quiet night.
blue and silver.
got a few things. picked up some pieces off the beach and was hoping to make a stocking to honor that time. but the design didn’t work. some of the cords are too stiff, too thick, or too geometric.
found a bead i like. the blue and silver one.
built a design I can expand on. now i wonder if it’s too much otomi. i’ll fix that and it will be unique.
she's done.
thought it would be interesting to show what the back of one of these looks like. so many stitches! and the front. i varied the bead colors using a lot of black, white, an neutrals so that the brights, in small amounts, would be visibly interesting. also, i wanted to vary the pattern at the bottom to attract the eye downwards, using zigzags and fabric pieces.
dear reader.
bend when you can. snap when you have to.
breathe.
2022. haven’t had a break in several years. this little trip made up for it. just me.
the same creativity.
trail running is like beading - being completely immersed in the path, or in the placement of the bead on the fabric. it’s a creative space like no other, clearing everything.
further.
going further - using milder colors and will lay brighter ones on top for the contrast.
is it a sunset.
really loving it. using new beads from santa fe. i picked up a few drier colors so the bright ones will pop more.
art and roots.
ruth gifted me the cross with charms for my birthday. for good luck, protection, happiness. she picked it. i love it. the picture is an original landscape i picked up at a street art fair. and the sticks are twisted roots, exposed by the elements, from the land in NM. i liked them. i think they’ll be the basis of the next project.
magical weekend.
mom, me, ruth. santa fe. beads, runs, food, museums, shopping, wine, tequila, spa, perfect weather, a beautiful drive, and the best company. a weekend we’ll never forget. thanks, mom.
going on an adventure!
this weekend. will shop for beads in my favorite place. take a lovely run. spa. mexican food. guess where?!? can hardly wait.